System for arranging transportation services and associated methods

ABSTRACT

A method of accessing media includes establishing a first network connection between a service provider device and a media device, wherein establishing the first network connection includes exchanging a set of network access parameters; establishing a second network connection between a user device and the service provider device; providing to a user device the set of network access parameters of the first network connection using the service provider device; and using the user device to control the media device, the user device using the set of network access parameters to mimic the first network connection with the media device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/435,297, filed Feb. 17, 2017, which claims benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/296,520, filed Feb. 17, 2016, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

This disclosure, in general, relates to systems for arrangingtransportation services and methods associated therewith.

BACKGROUND

With the growth of cities, many are choosing to move to an urbansetting. But, such urban settings carry with them traffic congestion andadditional expenses associated with owning a car. For example, in anurban setting, parking can be expensive, taxes on vehicle ownership canbe excessive, and the logistics expenses associated with owning avehicle can be large. As such, many residents and workers in urbansettings are selecting alternative modes of transportation.

Many urban regions offer mass transportation. But, such masstransportation, while inexpensive, is accessed through fixed locations,which may not closely correspond with the destination of a user. Theinconvenience is exacerbated during inclement weather. Moreover, suchtransportation options are often associated with overcrowding, crime,and a lack of cleanliness. Further, users do not have control of theirenvironment, including music preferences.

As such, alternative forms of transportation and methods for accessingsuch transportation would be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may be better understood, and its numerousfeatures and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art byreferencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 includes an illustration of exemplary system for arrangingtransportation services.

FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 4, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 9, FIG. 10,and FIG. 11 include flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods forarranging transportation.

FIG. 12 includes an illustration of an exemplary scenario.

FIG. 13, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, FIG. 17, FIG. 18, FIG. 19, FIG. 20,and FIG. 21 include flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods forarranging transportation services.

FIG. 22 includes an illustration of an exemplary event schedulinginterface.

FIG. 23 FIG. 24, FIG. 25, and FIG. 26 include flow diagrams illustratingexemplary methods for arranging transportation services.

FIG. 27 includes an illustration of an exemplary system for managingmedia playback.

FIG. 28, FIG. 29, and FIG. 30 include flow diagrams illustratingexemplary methods for controlling media playback.

FIG. 31 includes an illustration of an exemplary system for managingmedia playback.

FIG. 32 includes an illustration of an exemplary circuitry of a mediaserver device.

FIG. 33 includes a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method formanaging media playback.

FIG. 34, FIG. 35, FIG. 36, FIG. 37 include flow diagrams illustratingexemplary methods for arranging transportation.

FIG. 38 includes an illustration of an exemplary scenario associatedwith arranging transportation.

FIG. 39 includes a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method forarranging transportation services.

FIG. 40 includes an illustration of an exemplary representation ofservice provider income.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In an exemplary embodiment, a system is established for arrangingtransportation services. In an example, a user can request atransportation service through a transportation server. The request canbe for current transportation services or a reservation fortransportation services in the future. The transportation server candetermine a set of service providers (e.g., drivers) available toprovide the requested transportation service, and can send a request toservice providers available for providing the service. Thetransportation server can send the service provider request to theservice providers simultaneously, concurrently, or sequentially. In anexample, the service providers can accept the service provider request.The transportation server can provide to the user the option to selectservice from a set of service providers, and the user can select aservice provider. Following selection of the service provider, thetransportation server can notify both the selected service provider andthe user. The transportation server can route the service provider tothe user and provide details regarding the user's final destination. Inparticular, the system can facilitate the interactions and requestsusing a user device and service provider device, such as mobile phonesand tablet devices. For example, smart phones and tablet devicesconnected through cellular networks or wide area wireless networks canbe used by the system to facilitate the interactions. In an example,each of the interactions can be implemented using applications on mobiledevices associated with the user or the service provider. Such mobiledevices can include smart phones, tablet devices, laptops, similarnetwork device, or any combination thereof. The transportation servercan be one or more servers at one or more locations performing the samefunction or portions of the functions described below.

The system can further provide options to the user to customize theprovided service to meet user preferences. For example, a user canindicate a desire to have a vehicle at a particular temperature orcontrol other aspects of the drive-time environment. In a particularexample, a user can desire control of media playback, such as musicplayback. In particular, a user can be offered the option to controlmedia playback such as music, using the user's device, e.g., a smartphone or tablet. Alternatively, the user can provide a preference, suchas a broadcast media, a playback list available through a music service,or a genre of music that can be used by a music service to generatestreaming media. The service provider can implement the userpreferences, either by facilitating the playback of music associatedwith the user preferences or by providing the user device access to themedia playback device.

In an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 1 includes an illustration of anexemplary system 100 for arranging transportation services. Inparticular, a user 102 through a user device can send a service requestthrough a network to the transportation server 106. The user device can,for example, be a computational device capable of interacting through anetwork with the transportation server. Such devices can include smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktops, or any combination thereof connectedthrough a wide area or global network to the transportation server 106.In a particular example, the user device can be a smart phone or tabletdevice in communication with the transportation server 106 through acellular data network or a wide area wireless network. Exemplarycellular data networks include 3G, 4G, or LTE data networks. Wide areawireless networks can be established using protocols such as Wi-Fi(compatible with IEEE 802.11x), WiMAX (compatible with IEEE 802.16), orsimilar protocols. In a particular example, a user can interact throughan application on a smart phone or tablet and can communicate with thetransportation server 106. The transportation server 106 can be one ormore servers at one or more locations performing the same function orportions of the functions described herein.

The transportation server 106 can also be in communication with aservice provider 104. The service provider 104 can have a vehicleappropriate for providing services requested by the user. In particular,the service provider 104 can have a service provider device, such as asmart phone, tablet, or laptop, in communication with the transportationserver 106 through a cellular data network or wide area wirelessnetwork. The transportation server 106 can interact with the serviceprovider 104 to arrange for transportation services that can be offeredto the user through the user device 102. Once the transportation server106 has arranged services between the service provider 104 and the user102, the transportation server 106 can monitor the transaction andprovided service, and optionally provide feedback regarding the providedservice. For example, the transportation server 106 can monitor thelocations of the user and service provider, determine whether theservice provider provided the service, establish an end of service, andascertain deviations from the arranged transportation service. In afurther example, the transportation server 106 can request feedbackregarding the transportation service, for example, from the userregarding the service provider and optionally, from the service provider104 regarding the user.

The system 100 can also offer options for controlling the environment ofthe vehicle in which the transportation service is provided. Forexample, the user device 102 can provide user preferences as toenvironmental controls to the transportation server 106, which canprovide such user preferences to the service provider 104. In anotherexample, a user device 102 can be used to establish user preferences,such as music preferences, that can be transmitted to the serviceprovider 104 through the transportation server 106. Alternatively, theuser device 102 can access other media sources, such as streaming mediasources 108, available through cellular data networks or wide areawireless network. Using various methodologies, the user device 102 caninteract with the devices of the service provider 104 to implement mediacontent playback on media devices associated with the service provider104 or the service provider's vehicle.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a method 200 for arranging transportationservices includes opening an application on a user device, asillustrated at 202. The user device implementing the application candetermine whether the user has an account, as illustrated at 204.

In the absence of a user account, the user device can direct thecreation of an account, as illustrated at 206. For example, the userdevice can implement an interface, such as through an application thatloads a template for receiving account information. For example, theuser can be prompted for name, address, email address, social mediacontacts, images, passwords and other identification. Further, the usercan be prompted for payment preferences, such as entering a credit card,gift card, bank account, PayPal®, Apply Pay, Google Wallet, andassociated security information. In another example, the user can beprompted for preferences, such as music preferences, environmentalpreferences, and preferences associated with application functionality,such as notification preferences or calendar preferences. The userdevice can provide the account information to the transportation server,which can perform checks and balances, such as analyzing data integrityand checking payment information.

When the user account is established, the user device implementing theapplication can send a location to a transportation server, asillustrated at 208. For example, the user device can have access to acellular data network or a wide area wireless network through which thelocation and service request is sent. The transportation server canoptionally populate a map with the location of the user, as illustratedat 210, identify available service providers, and optionally provide thepopulated map including the location of service providers to the userdevice.

Following a request for service, the transportation server can interactwith the user and the service provider (e.g., a driver) to arrange fortransportation services. In particular, the transportation server canprovide to the user a set of service providers from which to select. Theset of service providers can be provided in an illustration depicting amap location of service providers relative to the user. In anotherexample, the set of service providers can be presented as a listproviding details about the service provider using ratings, vehicletype, and offered price.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a method 300 includes a userselecting a service provider, such as a driver, as illustrated at 302.The user can select the driver by selecting the driver from a mapdepiction of the location of the driver relative to the user. In anotherexample, the user can select the driver from a list of drivers. The listof drivers can include additional information such as driver ratings,number of miles driven, number of trips provided, vehicle type, price,or any combination thereof. Optionally, selecting a driver depicted on amap can also result of the display of the driver details.

As illustrated at 304, the transportation server can send routinginformation to the driver. The routing information can include aninitial location, destination, and optionally, suggested routes toimplement the service. In addition, information about the user can beprovided to the driver. If the user has a picture within the user'sprofile stored on the transportation server or on the user device, thepicture can be transferred to the selected driver. In another example,the information can include features associated with the user's device,such as a beacon address, network parameters, or device capabilities.

As illustrated at 306, the user can be notified of the incoming driverby the transportation server. For example, the transportation server cansend to the user device details regarding the driver's vehicle, profilepictures of the driver or drivers vehicle, license plate information,media playback options, environmental control options, current location,or time to arrival, or any combination thereof.

Once the driver arrives and acquires a user, the driver can proceed tothe final destination, as illustrated at 308. In a particular example,the transportation server can monitor the service being provided bymonitoring locations of the user and driver devices, which environmentalcontrol options are used, such as media content playback, satisfactionwith the service provided or with the user, or monetary transactionsbetween the user and driver, such as gratuities and tips, an end of theservice, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 for managing service information at theservice provider device. For example, as illustrated at 402, a servicecan start. The service provider is directed to a user location and picksup the user. Information about the service, such as initial location,destination, other routing information, or any combination thereof, canbe loaded into the service provider device, as illustrated at 404.

Throughout the service, the service provider device can provide updatesto the transportation server while the service provider device hasaccess to the cellular data or wide area wireless networks. Inparticular, the service provider device can inquire whether it hasnetwork service, such as through cellular data network or wide areawireless network, as illustrated at 406. When the service providerdevice does not have network access, the service provider device canaccess the pre-loaded routing information and optionally display theroute to the desired destination. In such a case, updates are notprovided to the transportation server and in the event that GPS isunavailable, the driver can rely on general mapping directions to reachthe final destination.

When the service provider device has service, the system can access GPSdata and monitor progress, as illustrated at 410. The service providerdevice can monitor whether the service provider has reached a finaldestination, and optionally provide updates on location to thetransportation server. For example, the system can determine whether theservice provider has reached the destination, as illustrated at 412.

When the service provider has reached the destination, the system cancheck to see whether it has network service, as illustrated at 414. Whenservice is unavailable, the service provider device can storeinformation about the transaction, as illustrated at 416. Suchinformation can be uploaded when service is reestablished.

When the service provider device has network access, the serviceprovider device can enable checkout, as illustrated at 418. In anexample, checkout includes notifying a transportation server that theservice is complete, allowing financial transactions to complete,optionally providing a tip or gratuity. The transportation server canalso interact with a user device to further facilitate checkout, such asgiving the user device commands to implement the checkout system on theuser device. The user device can also be prompted to provide a ratingassociated with the driver. In another example, the service providerdevice can be prompted to provide a rating associated with the user.

In a particular example, the system can offer to a potential customerupfront pricing associated with a service request. The system can alsoprovide a user with multiple options from which to select a service byprice, vehicle, or driver, or any combination thereof. Thetransportation server can receive from the user a service requestincluding details about the service, such as the user's location and adesired destination. A transportation server can determine a price basedon the locations, destinations, distances, time of day, trafficpatterns, driver availability, other influencers, or any combinationthereof.

For example, when a user opens the application, a user's GPS locationand position are sent to the transportation server. The user through theapplication can interact with a map or provide a street location for adestination. Optionally, the transportation server can populate a mapwith the location of service providers that are available. Once serviceis requested, details about the service are provided to drivers thathave the option to accept or pass on a service request or offer adifferent price. The accepting drivers and associated prices can bereflected back to the user through the user device. The user can selectusing the user device a transportation service, and service can bescheduled. The user and driver can be directed to a location to meet.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a method 500 for arrangingtransportation service includes a user entering a destination, asillustrated at 502. A transportation server can have the user's currentlocation and destination, and the request can include information aboutthe timing of the requested service, such as immediate, within aprescribed time frame, or at a later date. The request can also includeadditional information, such as requested vehicle type, number ofoccupants, environmental conditions associated with the vehicle, ormusic preferences.

As illustrated at 504, a proposed fare is calculated. In particular, thetransportation server can take into account location, destination, timeof day, traffic conditions, special events, supply, demand, occupancy,vehicle type, other factors that influence the fare, or any combinationthereof.

The transportation server can broadcast to service provider devices theproposed fare, as illustrated at 506. In particular, details about theservice request, such as user location, user destination, user rating,requested environmental or music preferences, or other details about therequested service, can also be provided to the service provider. Inaddition, the service provider can be provided with the option to offera different fare or select the proposed fare. For example, an interfaceon the service provider device can display a plurality of discountedfares along with the proposed fare, or alternatively or additionally,premium fares from which the service provider can select. Alternatively,the service provider device can display the proposed fare and controlelements permitting adjustment of the proposed fare. In a particularexample, the service provider is provided a limited time in which toselect or offer a fare.

As illustrated at 508, the service provider selects a fare, passes onservice request, or offers a different fare. The offered fare isprovided to the transportation server, as illustrated at 510. Thetransportation server can send the offered fares and driver informationto the user device, as illustrated at 512. For example, thetransportation server can provide to the user device a listing ofservice providers and fares from which the user can select. The listingcan include additional details about the service provider, such asrating, vehicle type, environmental and music options, number of milesdriven, number of trips provided, or any combination thereof.Alternatively, the driver information can be displayed in a map formatshowing service provider location and associated offered fare.

The user can select a service provider, as illustrated at 514, from theset of service providers provided by the transportation server. Inparticular, the user device can display the set for a period of timewithin which the user can select a service provider, for example, basedon the offered fare or other driver information. When the user fails toselect a service provider from the set of service providers within a setduration, the user device can prompt the user to resend the request andreinitiate the process of generating a set of offered fares.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary method 600 for initiating atransportation service based on proposed fares from the perspective of atransportation server. As illustrated at 602, the transportation servercan receive a service request. The service request can include aninitial location, a destination, a number of occupants, a schedulingtime and other preferences associated with the service requested.

The transportation server can determine a proposed fare, as illustratedat 604. The proposed fare can be influenced by aspects such as initiallocation and final destination, as well as other factors such as time ofday, traffic, routing, number of occupants, vehicle types, or userpreferences.

As illustrated at 606, the transportation server provides the servicerequest and the proposed fare to the service provider devices. Inparticular, the transportation server can broadcast to a plurality ofservice provider devices a service request and the proposed fare.

The service provider device can display the proposed fare and servicerequest along with the option to offer a different fare. The option canbe provided through controls or selecting from the proposed fare or aset of other optional fares. Alternatively, the control be provided foradjusting the proposed fare. As illustrated at 608, transportationserver can receive an offered fare from the service provider device. Forexample, the offered fare can be the same as the proposed fare. In analternative example, the offered fare is different from the proposedfare. The transportation server can aggregate a list of serviceproviders that are offering to provide service at the various offeredfares.

As illustrated at 610, the transportation server can provide the serviceofferings including the offered fares to the user device. The userdevice can display the list of offered fares and associated detailsabout the service providers. For example, the list can be displayed forperiod of time or duration during which the user can select offeredfare. Alternatively, the list can be provided to overlay a mapadditionally showing the location of each service provider.

As illustrated at 612, the transportation server can receive theselected service offering from the user device. The selected serviceoffering incorporates the offered fare, which establishes the fare forthe service to be provided. The transportation server can initiatetransportation service based on the selected service offering, asillustrated at 614. For example, the transportation server can senddetails about the transportation service to the user device and to theservice provider device.

Throughout the provided service, the system can monitor the locations ofthe user and service provider to determine how the service isprogressing. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a method 700includes monitoring the GPS location of the user device and a serviceprovider device, as illustrated at 702. The user device and the serviceprovider device can upload GPS location periodically to thetransportation server. In particular, the transportation server candirect more frequent uploading of GPS location when the service provideris providing transportation services to the user to monitor progress ofthe transportation service.

As such, the transportation server can identify when service started, asillustrated at 704. For example, when the user device and serviceprovider device are in close proximity, the transportation server canascertain whether the service started. In a further example, thetransportation server can determine that transportation service startedwhen the user device and service provider device are on the movetogether to a second location.

Throughout the service, the transportation server can record the GPSdata, as illustrated at 706. When the service provider has a laterscheduled reservation, the system can determine whether the currentservice being provided conflicts with the planned future reservations,as illustrated at 708.

For example, when the current service conflicts with the futurereservations, notifications can be triggered by the transportationserver, as illustrated at 710. In an example, the transportation servercan find an alternative service provider to service the reservation. Inanother example, the transportation server can notify the user deviceassociate with the reservation of the potential conflict and caninitiate selection of a new service provider.

When there are no reservations scheduled, the transportation server cancontinue to monitor GPS location until the service ends, as illustratedat 712. For example, the transportation server can determine the end ofservices through communication with a service provider device or theuser device, e.g., when the service provider or user use an applicationto notify the transportation server of service. In another example, thetransportation server can determine the service has ended when theservice provider device and the user device reach the designateddestination. In a further example, an end of service can be determinedwhen the user device and service provider device are no longer the samelocation.

In a particular example, the user device and service provider deviceinteract through the transportation server to close a transaction oncethe service is completed. The transportation server can finalize thetransaction and facilitate exchange of funds. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 8, a method 800 includes a user selecting a serviceprovider, as illustrated at 802. In particular, the user selects aservice provider on the user device when provided the option to selectfrom one or more service providers. When selecting a service provider,the user also accepts an offered fare.

As illustrated at 804, the system saves the transaction and holds thefunds derived from the user's payment option. In an example, thetransportation server can store a user profile that includes paymentpreferences, such as bank account information, credit card information,gift card information, pre-paid credits, PayPal® information, Apply Payinformation, Google Wallet information, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated at 806, the service provider can complete the service,for example, transporting the user to the user's desired destination. Inan example, the transportation server can be notified by the serviceprovider device that service is complete. In another example, thetransportation server can be notified by the user device thattransportation service is complete. In a further example, thetransportation server can detect completion of the service by monitoringthe locations of the service provider device and the user device.

As illustrated at 808, the user can be provided the option to augmentpayment. For example, the user can be offered the option to add a tip orgratuity to the agreed-upon fare. In an example, the transportationserver can facilitate the addition of the tip or gratuity through theuser device. In another example, the transportation server canfacilitate the augmentation of the fare through the service providerdevice.

The system can finalize the transaction, as illustrated at 810. Forexample, the system can ensure that the funds are transferred asdirected based on the agreed-upon fare and any augmentation offered bythe user. As illustrated at 812, the system can store the transactionand maintain records.

In particular, the system can offer selected service requests to aservice provider based on the benefit of the service request to theservice provider. For example, the system can recommend a servicerequest to a service provider based on the monetary goals of the serviceprovider, shift preferences, convenience, or any combination thereof.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 9, a method 900 includes receiving aservice request, as illustrated at 902. The service request can includean initial location, a destination, an indication of start time, or userpreferences.

A set of service providers is selected by the transportation server, asillustrated at 904. The set of service providers can be selected basedon proximity to the initial location, availability, preferred shifttimes, user favorites, other factors, or any combination thereof. Forexample, when the service request is for a current service, the set ofservice providers can be selected based on current availability,proximity to the user, a user favorite, or any combination thereof. Inanother example, when the service request is for a later reservation,the set of service providers can be selected based on preferred worktimes, user favorites, other factors, or any combination thereof.

For each of the service providers of the set of service providers, thesystem can determine a benefits score, as illustrated at 906. Thebenefits score can, for example, take into account desired locationsassociated with the driver, such as end of shift locations, monetarycriteria associated with a service provider or with a group to which theservice provider belongs, existing reservations, other factors, or anycombination thereof.

The system can provide the service request to the set of serviceproviders, as illustrated at 908, with a recommendation or lack ofrecommendation based on whether a benefit score meets a criteria or athreshold. For example, when the service request is associated with adestination in proximity to a service provider's home near the end of apreferred work time, the benefit score can be high, leading to arecommendation. In another example, when the service request influencesthe earnings of a service provider or group of service providers toapproach a level associated with a reward, the service request can berecommended. In another example, when a service request has anassociated time and destination compatible with a service provider'slater reservation, the service request can be recommended.

In an example, the system can selectively present to service providerstransportation requests that are beneficial to the service provider orassist the service provider in earning additional income. In particular,the system can access a service provider's profile and determinepreferred workhours, home locations or preferred locations, preferredneighborhoods, areas, or regions, or any combination thereof.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 10, a method 1000 includes accessinga service provider profile template through the service provider device,as illustrated at 1002. Alternatively, the service provider's profiletemplate can be accessed through other network devices, such as laptopor desktop computers.

As illustrated at 1004, the transportation server can receiveinformation from the template. The information can include details abouta service provider's preference, such as a location, preferredneighborhoods, preferred workhours, income objectives, preferred regionsof work, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated at 1006, the transportation server can perform checks andbalances. In particular, the transportation server can perform heuristicchecks on the data to ensure that is consistent or error-free. In theevent that a new service provider is entering a profile, the checks andbalances can include criminal background checks, traffic record checks,vehicle record checks, other checks and balances, or any combinationthereof. As illustrated at 1008, the transportation server can save theprofile for access later when determining whether to offer a servicerequest to driver.

In a particular example, a service provider can indicate the desired endat a destination. For example, the service provider can indicate adesire to end a shift in close proximity to the service provider's home.In another example, the service provider can indicate a desire to end ashift in a location proximal to a second job, event, or other preferredlocation. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a method 1100 includesenabling a location bound feature on the service provider device, asillustrated at 1102. For example, the service provider can enablethrough the service provider device a homebound feature. Thetransportation server can have a stored location associated with theservice provider.

The transportation server can receive a user request for service, asillustrated at 1104. In particular, the request for service includes anindication of the user's current location and a final destination. Thetransportation server can identify the user's desired destination, asillustrated at 1106.

As illustrated at 1108, the transportation server can determine whetherthe end location meets a desired criterion, such as when the endlocation is proximal to a location identified by the service provider asa desired location, such as a home location. Exemplary criteria includebeing proximal or within a radius of the service provider's desiredlocation. In another example, the criteria can include a destinationthat is closer than the service provider's current location to theservice provider's desired location.

When the criteria are met, the transportation server can provide arecommendation to the service provider device, as illustrated at 1112.Alternatively, when the criteria are not met, the transportation servercan provide the service request with an indication that the servicerequest is not recommended for the driver, as illustrated at 1110. In afurther example, when the criteria are not met, the service request maynot be sent to the service provider.

In a particular embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, the service providercan indicate a desired location, such as the service provider's home.The service provider can be offered fares (User A instead of User B)that have initial locations within a bounded range proximal to theservice provider's current location when a final destination of the fareis closer to the service provider's home location than serviceprovider's current location.

In further example, illustrated in FIG. 13, a method 1300 includesreceiving a request for service from a user, as illustrated at 1302. Inparticular, the user can enter a request for service on the user'sdevice.

As illustrated at 1304, a server can receive the service request fromthe user's device, for example, through a cellular data network or widearea wireless network. The server can calculate an estimated or proposedfare, as illustrated at 1308.

In addition, the server can determine when the end location ordestination of the service request is beneficial to particular serviceproviders, as illustrated at 1306. When the destination is beneficial,as illustrated at 1312, the server can direct that a recommendation isdisplayed. Alternatively, when the destination is not beneficial, asillustrated at 1310, the server can direct that a normal display is tobe used.

As illustrated at 1314, the proposed fare, details about the servicerequest, and the display style (i.e., normal or recommended) can becombined into instructions that are sent to the service provider, asillustrated at 1316. The service provider can accept or pass on a givenfare. In a particular example, service providers can accept the fare oroffer a fare different than the proposed fare, as described above.

In a particular example, the transportation server can receive requests,check criteria from the service provider's preferences, and utilize suchrequests and criteria to select transportation requests to provide tothe service provider. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a method1400 includes receiving a service provider request, as illustrated at1402. Such a service provider request can be a request to end work timenear a particular location or a request to work toward a particularlocation, area, or neighborhood.

As illustrated at 1404, the transportation server can access the serviceprovider record to determine boundaries, thresholds, or locationsassociated with the service provider.

As illustrated at 1406, the transportation server can select a servicerequest that meets the bounds and criteria associated with the serviceprovider request or included in the service provider's record. Thetransportation server can provide the transportation request to theservice provider device, as illustrated at 1408.

In a particular example, the system can facilitate reservations forfuture transportation services. For example, the system can receive andmonitor reservations, provide service providers with the option to takeadditional fares that do not conflict with a reservation, provide a setof linked reservations having one reservations start proximal to whereanother one ends, or ensure, when a service provider is unable to meetthe obligations for a reservation that an alternative servicer provideris commissioned. For example, as illustrated at FIG. 15, a method 1500includes a user selecting a reservation option, as illustrated at 1502.The user can select a reservation option on the user device or throughanother computational device, such as a laptop or computer. For example,the user can access the reservation option through an application on auser device or can access a website using another network device.

As illustrated at 1504, the user enters criteria associated with thereservation. For example, the criteria can include an initial location,destination, an initial time, a type of vehicle, a number of occupants,or other criteria associated with the requested service. Thetransportation server can use the criteria to select service providers,and the reservation request can be sent to the selected serviceproviders, as illustrated at 1506.

As illustrated at 1508, a service provider can send a selection to theserver. For example, the service provider can select to accept thereservation. Alternatively, the service provider can decline thereservation.

As illustrated at 1510, the transportation server can send serviceprovider information to the user through the user device or through thewebsite accessed from an alternative device. The service providerinformation can include information about the service provider'svehicle, ratings, miles driven, trips provided, other details regardingthe service provider, or any combination thereof. The user, eitherthrough an application on the user device or through the websitedisplayed on an alternative device, can select a service provider, asillustrated at 1512.

Once the user selects the service provider, the user and serviceprovider are notified, as illustrated at 1514. For example, userinformation is provided to the service provider, and service providerinformation is provided to the user. Optionally, the user and driver canbe provided with calendar entries to be entered into respectivepreferred calendar programs. In a particular example, a user profile ora service provider profile can include information regarding a type ofcalendar program and a preferred method or parameters for enteringevents into the preferred calendar program.

As illustrated at 1516, the transportation server can update the timemanagement system associated with a service provider. The transportationserver can monitor the service provider's other activities to facilitatecompletion of the reservation.

In another example method 1600 illustrated in FIG. 16, the server canreceive a driver selection for reservation, as illustrated at 1602. Thereservation can, for example, include an initial location, a finaldestination, as well as the time for initiating the transport service.

As illustrated at 1604, the transportation server can performreservation checks. For example, the transportation server can check forconflicts with other reservations, conflicts with desired servicefeature, errors associated with selected service provider, conflictsassociated with boundaries and regions indicated in the serviceprovider's profile, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated at 1606, the service provider's calendar can be updated.For example, the service provider's profile can include a preferredcalendar program, as well as parameters for facilitating entry of anevent into the service provider's calendar program. As illustrated at1608, the service provider can be notified of the reservation including,information about the user.

When a reservation is established, the system can monitor and provideadditional service requests to the service provider, for example, underthe condition that the additional service request do not conflict withthe reservations. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a method 1700includes determining whether a service provider has future reservations,as illustrated at 1702. When the service provider does not have futurereservations, the system can end the reservation monitoring and provideservice requests using other protocols, as illustrated at 1704.

When there are additional reservations, the system can check forpotential customers, as illustrated at 1706. For example, the system canreceive service requests from users and compare the service requestagainst service provider profiles and availability. The system candetermine for service providers that have future reservations whetherthere is enough time until the next reservation to complete the servicerequest, as illustrated at 1708.

When there is enough time, the system can recommend a service request tothe service provider, as illustrated at 1712. Alternatively, when thereis not enough time to the reservation, the system can route the serviceprovider to the reservation, as illustrated at 1710. For example, thesystem can determine whether there is enough time based on an estimatedtime to completion of the proposed service request, as well as a time totravel from a destination of the service request to the initial locationof the reservation. When there is not enough time to complete theproposed service request and travel to the initial location of thereservation before the initial time of reservation, the transportationserver can restrict offering fares to the service provider.

In a further example illustrated in FIG. 18, a method 1800 includesdetermining whether the service provider is associated with a scheduledreservation, as illustrated at 1802. When a reservation is scheduled,the system can determine whether the service provider is trying forservice, as illustrated at 1804.

When the service provider is not trying for service, the system can seeka later reservation, as illustrated at 1814. The system can check forconflicts with the scheduled reservation and the later reservation, asillustrated at 1816. In the absence of conflicts, as illustrated at1818, the system can allow for acceptance of the later reservation, asillustrated at 1820.

When the service provider is trying for service, the system can monitorthe location of service provider, as illustrated at 1806. The system cancalculate a time/distance to the next reservation, as illustrated at1808. Such time and distance can incorporate the time and distance tocomplete a service request in addition to traveling to the initiallocation of the reservation at the initial time of the reservation. Whenthere is not enough time to complete an additional service request, thesystem can block service, as illustrated at 1812. As such, the serviceprovider is prevented from taking on additional fares prior to areservation when such fares would prevent accommodation of thereservation.

In another example, the system can arrange for additional service tofollow expected reservations. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, asystem 1900 includes determining whether a service provider has anupcoming reservation, as illustrated at 1902. When the driver has ascheduled reservation, the system can add the destination of thescheduled reservation as a search point, as illustrated at 1904. Assuch, the system can identify additional service requests orreservations to be added to the schedule of the service provider.

The system can also interact with the user to facilitate transportationservices based on a reservation or based on other preferences in auser's profile. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, a method 2000includes determining whether a user has upcoming travel or reservations,such as scheduled air travel or scheduled reservations fortransportation services, as illustrated at 2002. Upcoming trips canindicate utilization of a transportation service to the location of theairline, boat, or train. The system can, for example, discover travelplans through access to a calendar, travel reservation systems, oremail. For upcoming reservations, the system can store reservationinformation. When an upcoming trip exists, the system can prompt acustomer to schedule a reservation for transportation services or cannotify the customer of a scheduled reservation, as illustrated at 2004.

When no upcoming trips are identified, the system can determine, asillustrated at 2006, whether the user is scheduling a trip. For example,the system can determine when the user enters a calendar entryassociated with travel. In another example, the system can be notifiedwhen a user accesses a travel reservation system. For example, thesystem can interact with third-party reservation systems to detecttravel bookings. In another example, the system can determine throughemail when a reservation confirmation has been sent.

When the user is scheduling a trip, the system can send an offer to theuser, as illustrated at 2008, through the user device. Alternatively,the system can supply an offer to the user through a website. Inresponse to the offer, the user can provide to the transportationserver, a set of locations associated with the travel, such as a homelocation and an airport location, a home location and a stationlocation, or an airport location and a hotel location, as illustrated at2010.

The server can identify service providers and can send a service requestto the service providers, as illustrated at 2012. The service providerscan offer to provide the transportation services, as illustrated at2014. The server can receive the offers and can notify the customer ofproposed fares and the associated offers, as illustrated at 2016.

A user can select a service provider, as illustrated at 2018, and thetransportation server can store the reservation, as illustrated at 2020.The system can then notify the user, as illustrated at 2004, about theupcoming trip. For example, the system can remind the user about thetravel by prompting the user at a set time prior to the start of theservice.

Further, the system can monitor the progress of travel, such as airlineschedules, to adjust reservations. For example, the system can monitorfor delays in flights to determine how to adjust a planned fare toaccount for a delayed user.

In a particular example, the transportation system can facilitate theoffering of transportation services to the user when the user isentering a calendar entry into the calendar. For example, as illustratedin FIG. 21, a method 2100 includes initiating a calendar entry, asillustrated at 2102. In an example, the calendar entry can be entered onthe user device. Alternatively, the calendar entry can be entered in acalendar program on the user device or on another computational device.Exemplary calendar programs include mobile calendar applications,Outlook™, cloud-based calendar programs, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated at 2104, the system can display an event form, throughwhich, a user can select transportation options, as illustrated at 2106.The system can display the transportation form, as illustrated at 2108.The transportation form information can be used to scheduletransportation services, as illustrated at 2110.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 22, an event entry form 2200 caninclude data entry controls for subjects and locations of an event, asillustrated at 2204, as well as time control elements 2206 for enteringthe date and time of the associated event. The event entry form canfurther include a control for entry for notes, as illustrated at 2208.Generally, the system includes an accept button or send button tofacilitate calendaring of the event, as illustrated at 2202. Inaddition, the event entry form can include a control for accessing atransportation service request form, as illustrated at 2210.Alternatively, the transportation service request form can be offeredonce the user accepts the subject location and date and time entries. Insuch a way, offers for transportation service can be integrated intocalendaring programs.

The system can also offer the option to establish a subscriptionaccount. The subscription account can include number of miles or mileageequivalents in exchange for periodic subscription payments. For example,as illustrated at FIG. 23, a method 2300 includes establishing asubscription account, as illustrated at 2302. In particular, thesubscription account can include the option to periodically charge auser, as well as an amount of mileage equivalents available to the user.In an example, the provided mileage equivalents can be discounted fromon-demand service charges.

When the system receives a service request, as illustrated at 2304, thesystem can determine initial location, destination, and start timeassociated with the travel. As illustrated at 2306, the system candetermine a mileage equivalent of the proposed service request. Themileage equivalent can be determined based on heuristics or algorithmsassociated with the distance between the initial location anddestination, as well as expected time to completion. For example, when atime to complete exceeds a threshold, the system can convert theadditional time into mileage equivalents using a scale, algorithm, orheuristic. The mileage equivalents can also have a monetary equivalent.

As illustrated at 2308, the mileage equivalent of the requested servicecan be compared to the available mileage equivalents associated with theaccount. When the service is initiated, the mileage equivalent can bededucted from the available mileage equivalents associated with account,as illustrated at 2310, and the service request can be sent to potentialservice providers, as illustrated at 2312.

In another example illustrated in FIG. 24, a method 2400 includesreceiving a service request form a user device associated with asubscription account, as illustrated at 2402. Based on the expecteddistance, and time to complete, or other factors, a mileage equivalentcan be calculated for the requested service, as illustrated at 2404. Thesystem can then compare the mileage equivalents to the number of mileageequivalents available to the account, as illustrated at 2406.

When there are not enough mileage equivalent associated with the accountto cover the number of mileage equivalents associated with the service,additional charges can be accumulated to the user, as illustrated at2412. When there are enough mileage equivalents associated with theaccount, the system can deduct the mileage equivalents from thesubscription plan, as illustrated at 2408. The system can then send aservice request to service providers, as illustrated at 2410.

Optionally, when completing a service, the user can enter a tip orgratuity that can be converted to mileage equivalents and deducted fromthe account.

Following completion of a service, a user can be given the option torate a driver or service provider. For example, as illustrated in FIG.25, a method 2500 includes a user completing a transaction, asillustrated at 2502. For example, the system can determine whether aservice is complete, and the user can optionally enter gratuity or tips.Such a transaction can be completed on the user device or on the serviceprovider device.

Once the transaction is complete, the user can be presented through theuser device a review or rating page associated with the serviceprovider, as illustrated at 2504. The user can be given the option toreview now, as illustrated at 2506. When the user decides not to reviewnow, a push notification can be applied to the user profile, providingthe option for the user to review or rate the service provider at alater time, as illustrated at 2514.

When the user selects to review the service provider, the user canselect a rating and write a review, as illustrated at 2508.Additionally, the user can be provided the option to select the serviceprovider or driver as a favorite, as illustrated at 2512. For example,selecting a driver as a favorite can influence the system to present thedriver more often when the driver is available for a particular servicerequest by the user. The transportation server can store theinformation, as illustrated at 2512.

The system can further provide additional advertising or notificationsto the user. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 26, a method 2600includes receiving a transportation request, as illustrated at 2602. Thetransportation request can include an initial location, finaldestination and time of service.

The system can identify advertisers associated with locations associatedwith the service request, as illustrated at 2604. Exemplary locationsinclude the initial location, the final destination, or locations inbetween. In a particular example, the system identifies a location andcan identify advertisers associated with the location.

In an example, the system can capture trends in locations foradvertising, as well as viewing of advertising, as illustrated at 2606.For example, the system can identify that at particular times of day asignificant number of fares travel to a particular location. In anexample, the system can identify that around lunch time a significantnumber of fares traverse between office locations and regions proximalto restaurants. Such trends can assist with identifying advertisers andinforming potential advertisers of statistics associated with theirtarget audience.

The system can then transmit advertising to the user device, asillustrated at 2608. Alternatively, the system can transmit advertisingto the service provider device.

In an example, the system can facilitate the provision of environmentalpreferences within the vehicle based on user preferences. For example,the system can facilitate interaction with the service provider thatprovides to the user the option to control media playback within avehicle. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 27, a system 2700 includesa user device 2702 that interacts with a transportation server 2708 torequest a transportation service. The transportation server 2708 caninteract with the service provider device 2704 to provision thetransportation service. For example, the user device 2702 and thetransportation server 2708 can communicate over a cellular data networkor a wide area wireless network. Similarly, the transportation server2708 can interact with the service provider device 2704 over a cellulardata network or wide area wireless network.

In an example, the transportation server 2708 can provide to the userdevice 2702 data associated with interacting with the service providerdevice 2704. For example, such data can include parameters associatedwith addressing the service provider device 2704. Such parameters can,for example, include network address parameters or beacon parametersassociated with the service provider device 2704 so that the user device2702 can recognize the service provider device 2704. In another example,the transportation server 2708 can provide to the service providerdevice 2704 information about communicating with the user device 2702.Such information can include parameters associated with accessing theuser device 2702, such as beacon addresses or network addresses of theuser device 2702. As such, the user device 2702 and the service providerdevice 2704 can recognize each other and initiate a network connection.

Optionally, the service provider device can be communicatively coupledto a media device 2706. In an example, the media device 2706 is an audiosystem of a vehicle. The service provider device 2704 can interact withthe media device 2706 through a wired connection. Exemplary wiredconnections include analog audio cables or wired network connections,such as USB connections. In another example, the service provider device2704 can interact with the media device 2706 through a wireless network,such as a wireless personal area network. In an example, the wirelesspersonal area network is a wireless network operating at frequencies ina frequency range of 2.0 GHz and 2.6 GHz or using protocols, such as afrequency hopping spread spectrum protocol. In a particular example, theservice provider device 2704 can interact with the media device 2706using a Bluetooth™ standard (e.g., Bluetooth 4.0).

In an example, a user can facilitate the selection of a music preferenceby providing through the user device 2702 preferred music genres, radiostations, or playlists to the server 2708. The server 2708 can providethe user preferences to the service provider device 2704 and the serviceprovider can implement such preferences on the media device 2706. Suchpreferences can include accessing a remote media source 2710 over acellular data network or wide area wireless network, such asinternet-based music streaming services, or accessing broadcast media,such as AM, FM, or satellite radio.

In another example, the user device 2702 using parameters provided bythe server 2708 can interact with the service provider device 2704 toform a network connection. The user device 2702 can transmit to theservice provider device 2704 media content that can be directed by theservice provider device 2704 to the media device 2706 for playback. Inan example, the user device 2702 can include encoded music stored on theuser device 2702, and can decode and transmit audio data to the serviceprovider device 2704, which facilitates playback of the media contentthrough the media device 2706. In an example, the user device 2702 canaccess a media source 2710 over a cellular data or wide area wirelessnetwork and can stream media content through the user device 2702 and tothe service provider device 2704, which facilitates playback of themedia content through the media device 2706.

In an alternative example, the user device 2702 can interact with theservice provider device 2704 to determine network parameters associatedwith network formed between the service provider device 2704 and themedia device 2706. In such a manner, the user device 2702 can mimic thenetwork connection between the service provider device 2704 and themedia device 2706. Accordingly, the user device 2702 can facilitateplayback of media content through the media device 2706 by mimicking thenetwork connection.

In a further example, FIG. 28 illustrates an exemplary method 2800 thatincludes enabling a music link option by the user device, as illustratedat 2802. A transportation server can receive a service request, asillustrated at 2804. When facilitating the transportation service, thetransportation server can determine a music preference, as illustratedat 2806. If the music preference includes a broadcast media, the systemcan send information regarding the broadcast media preference to theservice provider, as illustrated at 2812, and the service provider canestablish media playback in accordance with the user's preferences, asillustrated at 2814. For example, the service provider can turn on aradio to a desired broadcast radio station.

When the music preference includes a network music preference, such asPandora™ Apple™ Music, Beats™, I-Heart Radio™, Amazon™ music, amongothers, or any combination thereof. The information can be sent to theservice provider, as illustrated at 2808. Providing that the serviceprovider has access to the preferred networked media, the serviceprovider can access the service, as illustrated at 2810. Similarly, theservice provider can access available playback lists or music genresavailable through streaming media.

In another example illustrated in FIG. 29, a method 2900 includesaccepting a service request, as illustrated at 2902. The serviceprovider can establish a connection between the service provider deviceand the media device, as illustrated at 2904. For example, the serviceprovider can create a wireless connection with the media device.Alternatively, the service provider device can have a wired busconnection, such as a USB connection, to the media device. In a furtheralternative, the service provider device can have an analog connectionto the media device. For example, the media device can include a carradio.

In an example, the transportation server can provide identifiers to theservice provider device about the user device, as illustrated at 2906.Exemplary identifiers include beacon identifiers or network addressesassociated with the user device. In a further example, as illustrated at2608, the transportation server can provide identifiers to the userdevice regarding the service provider device, such as an identifier thatcan include network addresses or addresses of the service providerdevice.

As illustrated at 2910, a connection can be established between the userdevice and the service provider device. The network connection can be awireless personal area network.

As illustrated at 2912, the service provider device can prompt forpermission to provide media access to the user device. When suchpermission is provided, the service provider device can send networkconnection parameters to the user device, as illustrated at 2914. Inparticular, when the service provider device and the media device areconnected through a wireless network connection, connection parameters,such as addresses and passwords or encryption protocols, can be providedto the user device. Using such parameters, the user device can mimic theconnection between service provider device and the media device, asillustrated at 2916.

The user device can access media content, as illustrated at 2918. Forexample, the media content can be stored on the user device and can bedecoded for playback on the media device. In another example, the userdevice can access through a cellular data network or wide area wirelessnetwork streaming media content and provide such media content to themedia device through the mimic network connection, as illustrated at2920.

Once the service has ended, the system can terminate the connectionbetween the user device and the media device. For example, the userdevice can be directed to delete parameters associated with accessingthe media device. Such termination can be prompted by the serviceprovider device, the user device, or the remote transportation server.In a particular example, the service provider can be prompted throughthe service provider device to break access to the mimicked connection.In another example, the transportation server can recognize an end tothe service and can facilitate the deletion of the network parametersfrom the user device. In a further example, the user device whenfinalizing the transaction indicating a completion of service canautomatically delete the mimicked network parameters.

In an additional example illustrated in FIG. 30, a method 3000 includesaccepting a service request, as illustrated at 3002. The serviceprovider device can establish a connection between service providerdevice and the media device, as illustrated at 3004. For example, theservice can create a wireless connection with the media device.Alternatively, the service provider device can have a wired connectionto the media device. In a further alternative, the service providerdevice can have an analog connection to the media device. For example,the media device can include a car radio.

In an example, the transportation server can provide identifiers to theservice provider device about the user device, as illustrated at 3006.Exemplary identifiers include beacon identifiers or network addressesassociated with the user device. In a further example, as illustrated at3008, the transportation server can provide identifiers to the userdevice regarding the service provider device, such as an identifier thatcan include network addresses or beacon addresses of the serviceprovider device.

As illustrated at 3010, a connection can be established between the userdevice and the service provider device. The network connection can be awireless personal area network.

As illustrated at 3012, the user device can receive media content. Forexample, the user device can decode media content from media filesstored on the user device. In another example, the user device canaccess media content from a media server, for example, streamed over acellular data network or wireless wide area network.

The user device can send the media content to the service providerdevice, as illustrated at 3014. The service provider device can send themedia content to the media device, as illustrated at 3016.

As illustrated at 3018, the connection between the user device and theservice provider device can be broken at an end of the service. Such anend of the service can be determined by the service provider using theservice provider device. In another example, a remote transportationserver can recognize an end of the service and direct that the userdevice delete network connection parameters. In a further example, theuser device can recognize an individual transaction and automaticallydelete network connection parameters.

In an alternative example illustrated in FIG. 31, a system 3100 includesa user device 3102, which can interact with a transportation server 3112to establish service from the service provider associated with theservice provider device 3106. In addition, the system 3100 can alsoinclude a media server device 3108 associated with the media device3110, such as a vehicle audio system. A network connection can beestablished between the service provider device 3106 and the mediaserver device 3108, for example, through a wireless network, such as awireless personal area network.

The service provider device 3106 can interact with the media serverdevice 3108 to connect to the media device 3110. The media server device3108 can be connected with the media device 3110. In an example, themedia server device 3108 can be connected using a wired connection, suchas an analog connection to the media device 3110. In another example,the wired connection can be a bus connection, such as a USB connection.In a further example, the media server device 3108 can be wirelesslyconnected to the media device 3110, for example, through a wirelesspersonal area network.

The transportation server 3112 can provide to the user device 3102access parameters associated with the media server device 3108. The userdevice 3102 can establish a network connection with the media serverdevice 3108. The user device 3102 can direct media playback through themedia server device 3108 connected to the media device 3110. Forexample, the user device 3108 can decode media content stored on theuser device 3102. In another example, the user device 3102 can interactwith a media source 3114 over a cellular data network or wide areawireless network.

In a particular example, the service provider device includesapplications that prompt the service provider to provide permission forthe user device to access the media server device 3108. In addition, theservice provider device 3106 can direct the disconnection of the networkconnection between the media server device 3108 and the user device3102. For example, the service provider device 3106 can directdisconnection by communication with the transportation server 3112 orcommunication through the media server device 3108, directing the userdevice 3102 to delete network parameters associated with interactingwith the media server device 3108. Alternatively, the user device 3102can recognize an end of service and automatically delete the networkparameters associated with accessing the media server device 3108.

In an alternative example, the user device 3102 can communicate musicpreferences, such as through the transportation server 3112. The serviceprovider device 3106 can access the media server device 3108 toimplement the music preferences. In a particular example, the serviceprovider device 3106 can access a remote media source 3114 and streammedia content to the media server device 3108 to be played on the mediadevice 3110.

In an example, a media server device includes an antenna to providewireless communication and optionally an analog port or wired networkport. For example, FIG. 32 illustrates an exemplary media server device3200, which includes computational circuitry 3202 to manage networkconnections and retransmit media content to a media device. Thecomputational circuitry 3202 includes a processor and memory storage.

The computation circuitry 3202 is in communication with an antenna 3204.Through the antenna 3204, the computational circuitry 3202 can establisha wireless connection with a user device, a service provider device, ora wireless accessible media device. For example, the computationalcircuitry 3202 through the antenna 3204 can establish a wirelesspersonal area network. In another example, the computational circuitry3202 through the antenna 3204 can access a cellular data network or awide area wireless network.

The computational circuitry 3202 can be in communication with an analogport 3206 or a wired bus port 3208. For example, the media server device3200 can connect to an analog input of a media device through the analogport 3206. In another example, the media server device 3200 can connectto the media device via a wire bus port 3208. For example, the wired busport 3208 can be a universal serial bus (USB) port.

In addition, the computational circuitry 3202 optionally can beconnected to a power interface 3210 or a user interface 3212. The powerinterface 3210 can provide power to the computational circuitry 3202 andother connected interfaces, antennas or ports. In an example, the powerinterface 3210 can include a battery. In another example, the powerinterface 3210 can include an interface to a car power plug. In afurther example, the power interface 3210 can take the form of a USBinterface or form part of the USB wired bus port 3208. The userinterface 3212 can include buttons, switches, pointers, screens,touchscreens, or any combination thereof.

In an example illustrated in FIG. 33, a method 3300 includes accepting aservice request, as illustrated at 3302. A connection between the mediaserver device and the media device can be established, as illustrated at3304. For example, the connection can be a wired connection, such as ananalog connection or a wired bus connection. In another example, theconnection can be a wireless connection, such as through a wirelesspersonal area network.

In an example, the transportation server can provide identifiers to theservice provider device about the user device, as illustrated at 3306.Exemplary identifiers include beacon identifiers or network addressesassociated with the user device. In a further example, as illustrated at3308, the transportation server can provide identifiers to the userdevice regarding the media server device, such as an identifier that caninclude network addresses or beacon addresses of the service providerdevice.

As illustrated at 3310, a connection can be established between themedia server device and the service provider device. The networkconnection can be a wireless personal area network.

The service provider device can be prompted to permit access to themedia server device, as illustrated at 3312. For example, the serviceprovider device can display an interface to allow access.

As illustrated at 3314, the media server device and user device canestablish a connection. The user device can access media content, asillustrated at 3316, for example, that is stored on the user device orstreamed through a cellular data network or wide area wireless network.The media content can be provided to the media server device, asillustrated at 3318, through the connection between the media serverdevice and the user device. The media server device can send the mediacontent to the media device for playback, as illustrated at 3320.

Further, the connection between the user device and the media serverdevice can be terminated, as illustrated at 3322. In an example, theservice provider device can direct the media server device to disconnectthe network connection from the user device. In another example, thetransportation server can direct the user device to delete networkparameters associated with interacting with the media server device. Inan additional example, the user device can recognize an end of serviceand delete parameters associated with accessing the media server device.

In an additional example, the user's music preferences can be used tooffer bundled transactions associated with media events. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 34, a method 3400 includes accessing a user musicpreferences, as illustrated at 3402. The system can search for musicevents or venues, as illustrated at 3404, and can compare the musicpreferences of a user to the music events or venues, as illustrated at3406. In an example, the events or venues can include ticketed musicevents.

As illustrated at 3414, the system can generate a set of events bylocation, compile interest associated with users, as illustrated at3416, or link accounts, as illustrated at 3418. For example, a user canlink accounts associated with ticket booking services, such asTicketmaster or similar ticketing agents. Further, the system caninteract with such ticketing services or agents to detect booking of anevent and offer transportation services through the ticketing agent.

Further, the system can provide a notification to the user of anupcoming event, as illustrated at 3008. For example, the user can begiven a notification through an application on the user device. When theuser is interested in a particular event, the system can offer a ticketbundle, as illustrated at 3410. An exemplary ticket bundle can include aset of tickets to a music event or venue, as well as an offer fortransportation to that event.

When the user accepts the offer, purchasing the tickets and atransportation service, the system can establish a reservation, asillustrated at 3412.

The system can use a variety of data sources to determine supply anddemand associated with providing transportation services. For example,as illustrated in FIG. 35, a method 3500 includes reviewing upcomingevents, as illustrated at 3502. In an example, the system can checkhistorical request associated with similar events, as illustrated at3504, and can estimate the demand for drivers and rides, as illustratedat 3506.

The system can check to see whether a service provider's preferences,such as their preferred time of operation, match the events. In theevent the work schedule matches the upcoming event schedule, theprovider is considered available, as illustrated at 3512. Optionally,the system can direct the service provider to be in an area convenientto the event.

When the work schedule does not match the event, a service provider canbe sent an event notification, encouraging service provider to beavailable to serve the event, as illustrated at 3510.

In another example, the system can assist with determining demanded at aparticular location at particular times of day. For example, asillustrated in FIG. 36, a method 3600 includes a user selecting afavorite destination, as illustrated at 3602. When the user selects thefavorite destination, a ride procedure executes to facilitate provisionsof the service, as illustrated at 3604.

In addition, the system can store logistics data associated withfavorite destination, as illustrated at 3606. The logistics data caninclude start location, destination, and time of day associated withuser service request associated with the favorite destination.

The system can correlate events in the database with the favoritedestination, as illustrated at 3608. When the system determines thatsuch correlations exist, as illustrated at 3610, the system can generatepotential service information associated with potential demand forservice providers, as illustrated at 3612. In addition, the system cansend such potential service information to service providers, asillustrated at 3614, to encourage service providers to be available tomeet the demand associated with commonalities.

When identifying service providers, the system can identify an areaaround a start or initial location associated with a service request.When the identified area does not include a sufficient number of serviceproviders, the system can expand the area to find additional serviceproviders. For example, FIG. 37 illustrates a method 3700 in which auser opens an application on a user device, as illustrated at 3702. Whenthe user opens the application, the system can check a map criteria,such as an initial area or region proximal to a location of the user orinitial location of the requested service, as illustrated at 3704.Exemplary map criteria include a radius, estimated time to the userlocation, or other factors associated with providing service. Forexample, system can check for a radial distance from the user todetermine whether a set of drivers is available. In another example, thearea can be adjusted based on traffic or road patterns.

When a sufficient number of service providers are not available withinthe initial map criteria, the system can expand the map criteria, asillustrated at 3706. A map using the initial area or expanded areaincorporating the number of services providers can be populated with theset of available service providers identified through the checking themap criteria. The map can be sent to the user device, as illustrated at3708.

Using such information, the user can request service, as illustrated at3710. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 38, a user to be located at acenter of a circle. The system can determine that within a first radiusthere are no service providers. The system can expand the criteria. Whenan insufficient number of service providers is found in the expandedcriteria, the system can expand the criteria, such as a radius, again toidentify service providers proximal to the user's location. The systemcan repeat the process until enough service providers are found tosupport the requested service.

In a further example, the system can be configured to reward efforts byservice providers and groups of service providers. In particular, aservice provider can be part of a group, such as a work group or a setof friends who are also service providers. The system can trackindividual performance in addition to group performance, providingrewards for such performance.

In an example, in a method 3900 illustrated in FIG. 39, the system canestablish a service provider account, as illustrated at 3902. Theservice provider account can include details such as name, driverlicense, vehicle features, vehicle type, vehicle registration, vehiclelicense plate, service provider prefer locations, such as home, andshift information. As illustrated at 3904, the system can also establisha group preference associated with the service provider. For example, aservice provider can select to be a part of a group.

As a service provider provides services, the system can track individualstatistics, as illustrated at 3906. Exemplary individual statisticsinclude earnings and earnings breakdown by types of services, tips,reservations, and spontaneous services. Such statistics can be displayedto the service provider and projections of potential earnings based onthe availability of the service provider can be made. Such serviceprovider statistics can also be used to identify service requests thatare beneficial to the service provider in meeting goals or rewardlevels.

In a further example, the system can track group statistics, asillustrated at 3908. Such group statistics can include cumulativeamounts or cumulative amounts broken down by service type associatedwith members of the group. In particular, such statistics can be used toestablish games between groups of service providers. For example, asillustrated at 3910, the groups can be ordered based on the groupstatistics. Such ranking of groups can be used to motivate groups toexcel or earn additional money. In a particular example, groups can beranked by a total amount of earnings, a cumulative number of rides, tipsor gratuities earned, a number of reservations, or other metrics.

Based on the tracked individual statistics or tracked group statistics,various rewards or incentives can be provided, as illustrated at 3912.In an example, an individual service provider can be rewarded for theirpersonal performance or be given a higher percentage of fares orassociated fees based on their performance. In another example, a groupcan be rewarded with additional monetary incentives, gifts, gift cards,or other rewards having perceived value.

In a particular example, the statistics for either the individualservice provider or a group of service providers can be presented to theservice provider. For example, the statistics can be presented in agraph illustrated in FIG. 40, which illustrates revenue earned presentedby category. In another example, the statistics can be presented informs and with data consistent with reward and incentive programs.

In a first aspect, a method of accessing media includes establishing afirst network connection between a service provider device and a mediadevice, wherein establishing the first network connection includesexchanging a set of network access parameters; establishing a secondnetwork connection between a user device and the service providerdevice; providing to a user device the set of network access parametersof the first network connection using the service provider device; andusing the user device to control the media device, the user device usingthe set of network access parameters to mimic the first networkconnection with the media device.

In an example of the first aspect, the method further includes streamingmedia content from the user device to the media device using themimicked first network connection. For example, the method can furtherinclude decoding an audio file stored on the user device to stream asthe media content to the media device. In another example, the methodcan further include accessing the media content with the user devicefrom a streamed media source over a third network connection. Forexample, the third network connection comprises a cellular data networkconnection. In an example, the third network connection comprises aWi-Fi network connection incompliance with the IEEE 802.11x standard.

In another example of the first aspect and the above examples, the firstnetwork connection is a wireless personal area network (WPAN)connection.

In a further example of the first aspect and the above examples, thefirst network connection is a wired connection. For example, the WPANconnection uses a frequency hopping spread spectrum protocol in afrequency range of 2.0 GHz and 2.6 GHz.

In an additional example of the first aspect and the above examples, thesecond network connection is a wireless personal area network (WPAN)connection.

In another example of the first aspect and the above examples, the setof network parameters includes a network address of the service providerdevice.

In a further example of the first aspect and the above examples, the setof network parameters includes an encryption key.

In an additional example of the first aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes requesting service provider acknowledgment withthe service provider device prior to providing the network accessparameters to the user device.

In another example of the first aspect and the above examples,establishing the second network connection includes exchanging a secondset of network access parameters.

In a further example of the first aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes requesting a transportation service through athird network connection from a remote server, a service providerassociated with the service provider device assigned to provide thetransportation service. For example, the method can further includereceiving at the service provider device from a remote server anidentifier associated with the user device and establishing the secondnetwork connection based on the identifier. In another example, themethod can further include receiving at the user device from a remoteserver an identifier associated with the service provider device andestablishing the second network connection based on the identifier.

In an additional example of the first aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes disabling the mimicked first network connectionin response to a command from the service provider device via the secondnetwork connection. For example, disabling includes deleting the set ofnetwork access parameters from the user device. In another example,disabling includes disabling in response to an end of a service event.

In another example of the first aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes disabling the mimicked first network connectionin response to a command from a remote server via a third networkconnection. For example, the third network connection is between theremote server and the user device. In another example, the third networkconnection is between the remote server and the service provider device.

In a second aspect, a method of accessing media includes establishing afirst network connection between a service provider device and a mediadevice of a transportation vehicle, wherein establishing the firstnetwork connection includes exchanging a first set of network accessparameters between the service provider device and the media device;receiving at the service provider device identification associated witha user device through a second network connection; establishing a thirdnetwork connection between the service provider device and the userdevice using the identification associated with the user device; andreceiving media content from the user device at the service providerdevice using the third network connection and providing with the serviceprovider device the media content to the media device using the firstnetwork connection.

In an example of the second aspect, the first network connection is awired connection.

In another example of the second aspect and the above examples, thefirst network connection is a wireless personal area network (WPAN)connection. For example, the WPAN connection uses a frequency hoppingspread spectrum protocol in a frequency range of 2.0 GHz and 2.6 GHz.

In a further example of the second aspect and the above examples, thethird network connection is a wireless personal area network (WPAN)connection.

In an additional example of the second aspect and the above examples,the second network connection is a cellular data network.

In another example of the second aspect and the above examples, thesecond network connection a Wi-Fi network connection incompliance withthe IEEE 802.11x standard.

In a further example of the second aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes requesting a transportation service through afourth network connection from a remote server, a service providerassociated with the service provider device assigned to provide thetransportation service. For example, the method can further includereceiving at the user device from a remote server an identifierassociated with the service provider device and establishing the thirdnetwork connection based on the identifier.

In an additional example of the second aspect and the above examples,the method further includes disabling the third network by the serviceprovider device. For example, the service provider device disables thethird network based on location. In an example, disabling the thirdnetwork includes deleting network parameters associated with the thirdnetwork connection. In another example, disabling includes receivingcommands to disable the third network from a remote server through thesecond network. In a further example, disabling includes disabling inresponse to an end of a service event.

In another example of the second aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes disabling the third network by the user device.For example, disabling includes disabling at the command of a remoteserver in communication with the user device through a fourth networkconnection. In another example, disabling includes disabling in responseto an end of a service event.

In a third aspect, a method for accessing a media includes establishinga connection between a hub device and a media device; establishing afirst network connection between a service provider device and the hubdevice; establishing a second network connection between a user deviceand the hub device; and directing media content to the media devicethrough the hub device from the user device in response to permissionreceived from the service provider device.

In an example of the third aspect, the connection between the hub deviceand the media device is a wired connection.

In another example of the third aspect and the above examples, theconnection between the hub device and the media device is a wirelessconnection.

In a further example of the third aspect and the above examples, thefirst network connection is a wireless personal area network (WPAN)connection. For example, the WPAN connection uses a frequency hoppingspread spectrum protocol in a frequency range of 2.0 GHz and 2.6 GHz.

In an additional example of the third aspect and the above examples, thesecond network connection is a wireless personal area network (WPAN)connection.

In another example of the third aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes communicating an identifier of the hub device tothe user device from a remote server through a third network connection.

In a further example of the third aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes disabling the second network connection inresponse to a command from the remote server. For example, the thirdnetwork connection is a cellular data network. In an example, the thirdnetwork connection a Wi-Fi network connection incompliance with the IEEE802.11x standard.

In an additional example of the third aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes disabling the second network connection inresponse to a command from the service provider device.

In another example of the third aspect and the above examples, the mediacontent is stored and decoded on the user device.

In a further example of the third aspect and the above examples, themedia content is accessed from a remote server by the user devicethrough a third network connection.

In a fourth aspect, a method for providing a transportation serviceincludes receiving at a server a service request from a user device, theservice request including an initial location and a final location;determining a proposed fare at the server based on the initial locationand the final location; providing the service request and the proposedfare to a plurality of service provider devices, each service providerdevice associated with a service provider; from one or more serviceprovider devices of the plurality of service provider devices, receivingoffered fares; providing to the user device a set of service offerings,each service offering of the set of service offerings including anoffered fare of the offered fares received from the one or more serviceprovider devices and service provider information of the serviceprovider associated with the service provider device associated with theoffered fare; receiving a selected service offering of the set ofservice offerings from the user device; and using the server, initiatingtransportation service between a user associated with the user deviceand the service provider associated with a select service providerdevice associated with the selected service offering.

In an example of the fourth aspect, an offered fare of the offered faresis different from the proposed fare.

In another example of the fourth aspect and the above examples, theoffered fares are derived from a selection of a fare from a list offares.

In a further example of the fourth aspect and the above examples, theservice provider information includes vehicle information associatedwith the service provider.

In an additional example of the fourth aspect and the above examples,the service provider information includes a service provider rating, anumber of miles driven, a number of trips provided, driver name, phonenumber, license plate, or vehicle information, or a combination thereof.

In another example of the fourth aspect and the above examples, theservice provider information includes an identifier of the serviceprovider device.

In a further example of the fourth aspect and the above examples,initiating the transportation service includes providing routinginformation to the initial location to the select service providerdevice.

In an additional example of the fourth aspect and the above examples,initiating the transportation service includes providing selectedservice vehicle information to the user device when the service provideris in route.

In another example of the fourth aspect and the above examples,providing the service request includes providing a user rating, a numberof trips, a number of miles used, or a combination thereof to theservice provider devices.

In a fifth aspect, a method of establishing a transportation serviceincludes receiving from user device a service request, the servicerequest including an initial location and a final location; determininga set of available drivers based on proximity to the initial location;determining a driver benefit score for each of the set of availabledrivers; and providing to service provider devices associated with theset of available drivers, the service request and a recommendation basedon the driver benefit score of a driver associated a service providerdevice of the service provider devices.

In an example of the fifth aspect, the driver benefit score isdetermined based on the final location and a proximity to a driverpreferred location.

In another example of the fifth aspect and the above examples, theservice request includes an initial time and wherein the driver benefitscore is determined based on the final location and an estimated finaltime.

In a further example of the fifth aspect and the above examples, thedriver benefit score is determined based on an estimated fare.

In an additional example of the fifth aspect and the above examples, thedriver benefit score is determined based on scheduled reservationsassociated with the driver.

In a sixth aspect, a method of arranging a transportation serviceincludes establishing a subscription account for a user associated witha user device, the subscription account including a mileage equivalentcount; receiving a service request from the user device, the servicerequest including an initial location and a final location; determiningan estimated distance based on the initial location and the finallocation; and comparing the distance to the mileage equivalent count.

In an example of the sixth aspect, the method further includesdetermining an estimated time based on the initial location and finallocation, and determining a mileage equivalent to compare to the mileageequivalent count.

In another example of the sixth aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes determining a total time to complete the servicerequest, augmenting a mileage equivalent based on the total time anddeducting the mileage equivalent from the mileage equivalent count.

In a further example of the sixth aspect and the above examples, themethod further includes receiving a monetary value associated with thetransaction, converting the monetary value to a mileage equivalent, anddeducting the mileage equivalent from the mileage equivalent count. Forexample, the monetary value is associated with a tip.

In a seventh aspect, a method for arranging a transportation serviceincludes determining a reservation associated with a service providerdevice, the reservation including a reservation start time and areservation initial location; receiving a service request having anassociated service initial location and a service final location;determining a travel time associated with the service provider device,the travel time including a service travel time associated withcompleting the service request and an intermediate travel timeassociated with traveling to the reservation initial location from theservice final location; comparing the travel time with a time to thereservation start time; and blocking the service request from theservice provider device based on the comparing.

In an eighth aspect, a method for arranging a transportation serviceincludes initiating a calendar entry in an event entry form of acalendar system; displaying on the event entry form a transportationaccess control associated with a transportation service; in response toselection of the transportation access control, displaying atransportation reservation form; and scheduling a transportationreservation based on information drawn from the transportationreservation entry form and the event entry form.

In a ninth aspect, a method for arranging a transportation serviceincludes receiving a transportation request from a user device, thetransportation request including a start location and destination;determining an advertiser having an advertiser location associated withthe initial location, route, or destination; and transmitting anadvertising message associated with the advertiser to the user device.

In a tenth aspect, a method for arranging a transportation serviceincludes accessing a user account entertainment preference associatedwith a user, the user account referencing a user device; searching anevent list for an entertainment event corresponding to the user accountentertainment preference; and providing to the user device an offermessage including an offer price for tickets and transportation to theentertainment event.

In an eleventh aspect, a method for arranging a transportation serviceincludes receiving from a service provider device a service providerrequest to approach a preferred location, the service provider at afirst location; accessing a service provider record indication thepreferred location; selecting a transportation request from a set oftransportation request ending at a second location closer the preferredlocation than the first location; and providing the transportationrequest to the service provider device.

In a twelfth aspect, a method for arranging a transportation serviceincludes determining an end location of a scheduled reservationassociated with a service provider; estimating an end time associatedwith completing the scheduled reservation; accessing a set ofreservations, each reservation including a start location and a starttime; determining a select reservation compatible with the end time andend location associated with the scheduled reservation; and providing toa service provider device associated with the service provider atransportation request associated with the select reservation.

Note that not all of the activities described above in the generaldescription or the examples are required, that a portion of a specificactivity may not be required, and that one or more further activitiesmay be performed in addition to those described. Still further, theorder in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order inwhich they are performed.

In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described withreference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in theclaims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofinvention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,”“including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, areintended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process,method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of features is notnecessarily limited only to those features but may include otherfeatures not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method,article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary,“or” refers to an inclusive-or and not to an exclusive-or. For example,a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true(or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or notpresent) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (orpresent).

Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements andcomponents described herein. This is done merely for convenience and togive a general sense of the scope of the invention. This descriptionshould be read to include one or at least one and the singular alsoincludes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature of any or all the claims.

After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate thatcertain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context ofseparate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be providedseparately or in any subcombination. Further, references to valuesstated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

1.-55. (canceled)
 56. A method to facilitate a transportation service,the method comprising: receiving, from a service provider applicationimplemented on a service provider device, activation of a location boundfeature, the location bound feature associated with a destination;receiving a service request via a user application implemented on a userdevice, the service request including an initial location and a finallocation; comparing the final location of the service request with thedestination associated with the location bound feature; and providing tothe service provider application implemented on the service providerdevice the service request based at least in part on the comparing. 57.The method of claim 56, wherein the providing the service request to theservice provider application includes providing a recommendation basedat least in part on the comparing.
 58. The method of claim 56, whereinthe location bound feature is further associated with an end time, themethod further comprising: estimating an arrival time associated withthe service request; and comparing the arrival time and the end time;wherein the recommendation is based at least in part on the comparingthe arrival time and the end time.
 59. The method of claim 56, furthercomprising receiving and storing the destination.
 60. The method ofclaim 56, further comprising receiving acceptance of the service requestfrom the service provider application implemented on the serviceprovider device and associating a service provider to the servicerequest.
 61. The method of claim 5, further comprising providing anotification to the user application implemented on the user device, thenotification including an identity of the service provider associatedwith the service request.
 62. The method of claim 56, further comprisingdetermining a fare associated with the service request and providing thefare to the user application implemented on the user device.
 63. Themethod of claim 7, further comprising providing the fare to the serviceprovider application implemented on the service provider device.
 64. Themethod of claim 56, wherein comparing the destination and the finallocation includes determining whether the final location is closer tothe destination than a current location of the service provider device.65. The method of claim 56, wherein comparing the destination and thefinal location includes determining whether the final location is at adistance less than a radius from the destination.
 66. The method ofclaim 56, further comprising: receiving from a second user device asecond service request via a second user application implemented on thesecond user device, the second service request including a secondinitial location and a second final location; comparing the second finallocation of the second service request with the destination associatedwith the location bound feature; and providing to the service providerapplication implemented on the service provider device the secondservice request without the recommendation based at least in part on thecomparing the second final location to the destination.
 67. The methodof claim 56, wherein the user device is a mobile device.
 68. The methodof claim 56, wherein the service provider device is a mobile device. 69.A method to facilitate a transportation service, the method comprising:receiving, from a service provider application implemented on theservice provider mobile device, activation of a location bound feature,the location bound feature associated with a destination, the serviceprovider mobile device associated with a service provider; receiving aservice request via a user application implemented on a user mobiledevice, the service request including an initial location and a finallocation; determining a fare based on the service request; comparing thefinal location of the service request with the destination associatedwith the location bound feature; and providing to the service providerapplication implemented on the service provider mobile device theservice request and the fare based at least in part on the comparing.70. The method of claim 69, wherein the providing the service request tothe service provider application includes providing a recommendationbased at least in part on the comparing.
 71. The method of claim 69,wherein the location bound feature is further associated with an endtime, the method further comprising: estimating an arrival timeassociated with the service request; and comparing the arrival time andthe end time; wherein the recommendation is based at least in part onthe comparing the arrival time and the end time.
 72. The method of claim69, further comprising receiving the destination from the serviceprovider application implemented on the service provider mobile deviceand storing the destination.
 73. The method of claim 69, furthercomprising receiving acceptance of the service request from the serviceprovider application implemented on the service provider mobile device.74. The method of claim 18, further comprising providing a notificationto the user application implemented on the user mobile device, thenotification including an identity of the service provider associatedwith the service request and the fare.
 75. The method of claim 69,wherein comparing the destination and the final location includesdetermining whether the final location is closer to the destination thana current location of the service provider mobile device. comparing thesecond final location to the destination.